KAILUA-KONA — West Hawaii residents have a pair of options when it comes to commemorating Memorial Day today at public ceremonies.
The first will take place at 11 a.m. at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. The event is scheduled to run for about an hour and will feature guest speaker Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Luis Ortiz of Pohakuloa Training Area.
Refreshments served by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12122 Auxiliary will follow the ceremony.
“Memorial Day is the day we perpetuate and make known the people who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said VFW Post 12122 Commander Charles Sermons. “Freedom is not really free, and there’s a price paid for that.”
Later today, a ceremony will be held at Kilauea Military Camp featuring keynote speaker Lt. Col. Loreto Borce Jr., commander of Pohakuloa Training Area.
It’s scheduled for 3 p.m. on the front lawn next to the flag pole.
A Memorial Day buffet will follow the ceremony at 4 p.m. The buffet costs $20.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 6-11.